Eastern Shore of Virginia
9-1-1 Communications Center
23201
Front Street, PO Box 337, Accomac , Virginia 23301-0337
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission Extends Appreciation to the
Dedicated Communications Officers Who Receive and Dispatch Calls for Service
Daily and Who Support the Operational Safety of our Public Safety Responders!
Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Radio System
700MHz Radio System
Field Activities
January-February 2023 - Introductory Sessions Provided to Local Agencies by L3Harris and ESVA 9-1-1
March 2023 - Surveyed Agencies for Various Portable Radio and Pager Needs
April 2023 - Site Visits to Participating Agencies to Define Control Station and Mobile Radio Requirements
April 2023 - Captured Portable Radio Needs Based on Apparatus Type and/or Seat Capacity During Site Visits
May 2023 – Participated in a “Detailed Design Review” (DDR) with L3Harris to review system design and identify items for final acceptance of the DDR process
October 2023 – Participated in a “Detailed Design Review” (DDR) with Williams Communications to review connectivity system design (microwave/fiber backhaul)
October 2023 – Conducted Fleet Map training for Radio Systems Committee; began initial fleet mapping design
January-February 2024 – Refined fleet mapping, initiated training for MCM asset management
February-April 2024 – Coordinated an interoperability solution (STARS interoperability talk group) with Virginia State Police to replace Statewide Interoperability Radio System (SIRS); deployed control stations at ESVA 9-1-1 and at sheriff’s offices
March 2024 – Core Team travelled to Lynchburg for L3Harris Customer Factory Acceptance Testing
April-June 2024 – Developed and presented Fire-EMS, Law Enforcement, & Public Schools radio personalities, a core component of radio programming
April-July 2024 – Coordinating on-site civil work, installation of shelters and generators, tower remediation/upgrading, shelter modifications; monitor work of contractors installing system infrastructure
July-August 2024 – Director, Radio System Manager, and Consultant are engaged in L3Harris training courses to support system operations
September-October 2024 – Field testing suspended due to reduced foliage; project cutover delay to fall 2025 anticipated
January 2025 – Mobile radio installations begin; legacy radio channels remain in operation
April 2025 – Control station installations at fire, rescue, and police stations, hospital begin; legacy radio channels remain in operation
August 2025 – Infrastructure build-out completed (6-site trunked radio system); console configuration training completed
September 2025 – System equipment testing, field coverage testing; train-the-trainer radio user training scheduled to begin
September-November 2025 – Portable radios to be programmed; portable chargers/radios to be installed in fire/EMS apparatus.
Late October-Early November 2025 – Training for dispatchers, field personnel on use of radio system, mobile and portable radios, and pagers
December 2025 – Anticipated system cutover (depart legacy systems and implement use of new radio system)
Ongoing – Weekly and monthly review and coordination meetings with vendors and consultants to address issues, schedule activities, and monitor performance
Additional Notes – See Communications Projects
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Commission
Issues Award
for 700MHz Radio System Connectivity Network
To Williams Communications, Inc.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission, upon completion of negotiations of Eastern Shore of Virginia's RFP #911-22-001 for the Connectivity Network, has awarded a contract to Williams Communications, Inc.
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Commission
Awards Contract for 700MHz Radio System
To L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) 9-1-1 Commission, on behalf of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton, has awarded a contract for the design, implementation, delivery, and maintenance of 700 MHz P25 Phase 2 public safety radio system to L3Harris Technologies, Inc. The commission approved the contract award on December 22, 2022, and its Chairman executed the contract documents following the Commission’s special meeting. The contract sets in place a project to develop a 700 MHz radio system using the latest technology and to deliver new mission critical mobile and portable radios to fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies for use over a 15-year project period. Implementation is expected to take 24 months. Public safety personnel will be briefed on the project in early 2023.
Funding for the project will come from an $8.245 million federal Community Project Funding grant administered by the Department of Justice (COPS grant program), other smaller grants, and local funds from Accomack and Northampton Counties.
L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces C6ISR systems and products, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems, night vision equipment, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. They specialize in surveillance solutions, microwave weaponry, and electronic warfare. It was formed from the merger of L3 Technologies (formerly L-3 Communications) and Harris Corporation on June 29, 2019. L3Harris competed for the project through a Request for Proposals.
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Planning to Acquire 700MHz Radio System
In 2020, Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 began a planning effort to procure a new radio system to serve Accomack and Northampton County fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. The Commission engaged CTA Consultants to study system needs and recommend actions to procure a needed system. Following acceptance of CTA’s report, the 9-1-1 Commission issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #911-21-001 in October 2021 seeking proposals from qualified vendors. Proposals from two vendors were received. The Regional Public Safety Radio System Committee (RPSRSC), in addition to its planning input and direction, was tasked with evaluating the vendor proposals and subsequently making a recommendation to the 9-1-1 Commission regarding contract award. The RPSRSC will continue to be involved in system design and implementation once a contract is negotiated and awarded. Contract award is expected in Fall 2022.
Accomack and Northampton Counties Receive Federal Grant for 700MHz Radio System
In April, Rep. Elaine Luria delivered an $8.2 million CPF award to replace the Accomack and Northampton Counties public safety radio communications system with reliable, integrated, mission-critical voice and data communications for first responders and law enforcement. One of the largest Community Project Funding (CPF) awards in the country, the state-of-the-art radio system will improve communications for emergency responders and make our communities safer.
"Today, Fire, EMS, and Law enforcement personnel in the Eastern Shore of Virginia counties are operating on older public safety radio systems, with coverage issues and an overall lack of interoperability. The funding included in the FY22 federal budget towards the building and implementation of a new state of-the-art regional public safety radio system for our region will provide much improved communications for our emergency responders, ultimately leading to safer communities for those in our region. The efforts by Representative Luria and others, in securing funding for this needed project in our region, are appreciated," said Jeffrey Flournoy, Director of the Eastern Shore 911 Commission.
Accomack and Northampton Counties Regional Public Safety Radio Communications System
Amount: $8,245,000
Recipient: Accomack County and Northampton County
Project Description: The funding will replace the entire Accomack and Northampton Counties public safety radio communications system with public safety grade, reliable, integrated, mission-critical voice and data communications for first responders and law enforcement.
Accomack and Northampton
Counties Achieve Compliance
with
Virginia’s Marcus Alert System Through Rave 911 Suite and Smart911
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center, in coordination with the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Offices, Chincoteague Police Department, and Eastern Shore Community Services Board (CSB), announced on August 6 that the Eastern Shore of Virginia is in compliance with Virginia’s Marcus Alert System, which established statewide mental health awareness response and community understanding services, through its use of Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave 911 Suite and Smart911.
The Marcus Alert System legislation mandates a set of protocols to initiate a behavioral health response to a behavioral health crisis, including for individuals experiencing that crisis secondary to mental illness, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, or any combination thereof. It requires that, by July 1, 2021, every locality in Virginia establishes a voluntary database to be made available to the 9-1-1 alert system and the Marcus Alert System to provide mental health information and emergency contact information for response to an emergency or crisis.
Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center was already in compliance thanks to its ongoing use of Rave 911 Suite and Smart911, a national service that allows individuals to provide 9-1-1 call takers and first responders with critical information through a Safety and Vulnerable Needs Profile. When residents sign up for Smart911, their Safety Profiles display on the 9-1-1 screen and allow 9-1-1 call takers to view key information, like addresses, mental health and medical information, photos, emergency contacts and more. Residents are in complete control of what information is included in their Safety Profile and can choose which information they want shared with 9-1-1.
With the Rave 911 Suite, the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, and Chincoteague Police Department also have access to capabilities like call notes, caller location and chat functionality—all of which help the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s First Responders provide better informed response to residents.
“Smart911 will be a great resource for First Responders to assist an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis,” says John Konkel, Emergency Services CIT Coordinator, Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Services Board.
Individuals are encouraged to create their free Safety Profile with Smart911 today to have their information immediately available to 9-1-1 and to receive emergency notifications. Smart911 is private and secure, and information is only made available to the 9-1-1 system in the event of an emergency call. To create a Smart911 profile for yourself and your family, visit www.smart911.com. You may also download the free mobile app from either Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. For profile assistance or questions, individuals may contact the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center’s non-emergency line at (757) 787-0911 or e-mail 911esva@co.northampton.va.us.
We’re Here for You… Dial 9-1-1 for Any Emergency!
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Mariner Recognized
for Outstanding Service
As 9-1-1 Commissioner On
August 1st, 2017, a Resolution of Appreciation was
presented to William “Bill” Mariner for his years of service on the Eastern
Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission. Bill was a charter member of the 9-1-1
Commission, serving since its inception in 1990 until his passing on August 6th,
2017, just several days after the Resolution was presented. For twenty-seven
years, Bill, as a member of the Greenbackville
Volunteer Fire Department, represented Accomack County EMS on the 9-1-1
Commission. The picture on the right, from the presentation on August 1st,
includes (from left to right), Jeffrey Flournoy (Director for the 9-1-1
Center), Donald Kellam (Chairman of the 9-1-1 Commission), Scott Chandler (Consultant
for the 9-1-1 Center), and Ben Byrd (9-1-1 Commissioner), with Bill Mariner
seated, holding the Resolution. View the Resolution of
Appreciation |
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9-1-1 Center Upgrades Emergency Call Handling Equipment (CHE)
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission recently installed and
upgraded its telephone call
handling equipment (CHE) to facilitate the handling and processing of emergency
calls for the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center. The new equipment and software, known as Emergency
CallWorks, was provided by Motorola Solutions. Emergency CallWorks’
solution provides an advanced, next-generation version of 9-1-1 that is capable
of moving beyond voice-only calls by processing multimedia information into the
call flow. Its browser-based workstation architecture eliminates proprietary
9-1-1 switching hardware, simplifies operations and provides cost-effective
system implementation, allowing for remote monitoring, service and support,
with continuous delivery of innovative new features. The system provides additional integrated
mapping features to improve call handling by communications officers.
Additionally, new telephones
utilizing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) were installed to support
Emergency Operations Center functions.
That system is provided and supported by NeuBeam,
a local internet and telephone vendor.
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9-1-1 Commission Deploys Simulcast Radio Dispatch
and EMS Operations Channels
The Eastern Shore of Virginia
9-1-1 Commission placed a simulcast radio system for F1 (Rescue Dispatch) in
operation during June 2015. The system
allows transmitters at multiple sites to be keyed simultaneously to deliver
dispatch traffic shore-wide. Previously,
three separate transmitters were used based on the geographic location of the
call. When simulcasted, dispatches and
radio messages cover all areas; incidents in multiple geographic areas do not
have to be replicated. Additionally, the
Commission deployed a simulcast EMS operations channel that moves EMS radio
transmissions from the dispatch channel during July 2015. The EMS Operations channel utilizes multiple
repeaters to broadcast 9-1-1 radio traffic and rebroadcast field communications
shore-wide. As the EMS Operations
channel was readied for operations, field radios were reprogrammed.
Atlantic Communications was
awarded the contract to provide, deliver, install, and integrate the new
simulcast dispatch radio system and perform related tasks.
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Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Center is NOAA Weather–Ready
Nation Ambassador The Weather-Ready Nation
Ambassador initiative is an effort to formally recognize NOAA partners who
are improving the nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and
climate events. Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Center is committed to work with NOAA and
other Ambassadors to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather.
Additional information regarding Weather-Ready Nation can be found on the
National Weather Service website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ |
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Communications
Manual
Amendments
Through November 2024 Incorporated
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ESVA 9-1-1 Assumes 9-1-1 Services for Town of
Chincoteague
On Monday, November 18, 2013, the Eastern Shore of
Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center transitioned and began receiving 9-1-1
calls that were previously routed to and processed by the Town of
Chincoteague. The Eastern Shore 9-1-1
Center will transfer any police related calls to the Chincoteague Police
Department for dispatch, but will directly dispatch fire and EMS calls to the
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (Station 3).
On October 21, 2013, Chincoteague Town Council voted
to transition Chincoteague’s 9-1-1 services and the dispatch of Station 3 to
the ESVA 9-1-1 Center. The last several weeks have included planning for the
transition and the development of an agreement between the Town of Chincoteague
and the ESVA 9-1-1 Commission.
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, DIAL 9-1-1
Non-Emergency
Phone Numbers: (757) 787-0911, 824-0911, 442-0911
9-1-1
Administration: (757) 787-0909
Copyright 2025,
Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission
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Last Updated July 26, 2025